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Volume 138 • Issue 29
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
75¢
KMLT to hold auditions for North Carolina budget "Mama's Crazy Christmas now signed into Law Bride Ride" on July 29-31 By Senator Ted Alexander
Kings Mountain Little Theatre (KMLT) is thrilled to announce the world premiere production of Mama's Crazy Christmas Bride Ride, a brand-new comedy by acclaimed playwrights Jones Hope Wooten, coming to the KMLT stage this November. The production is sponsored by Shonni Dixon in memory of Dan Dixon, a KMLT stalwart and former President. Auditions for the production will be held July 29, 30 and 31 at 6:00 p.m. at Kings Mountain Little Theatre’s Joy Theatre. Community members interested in being part of this exciting premiere production are encouraged to attend. The production will run November 6-8 and November 13-15, 2026, with a special Opening Night Gala Celebration on Thursday, November 5. Adding to the excitement, playwright Jamie Wooten will be in attendance for the gala event, giving audiences a unique opportunity to celebrate alongside one of the creators of this hilarious new Southern comedy. Other event details, ticket pricing, and ticket availability will be announced. KMLT 2026-27 Season members and sponsors will have access to November 5th tickets before the general public sales begin. In Mama's Crazy Christmas Bride Ride, it's Christmas and Mama's getting married! But only if she and her family can get from California to Alabama in time for Mama to make it down the aisle. So, the race across the country is on - and everything that can go wrong does. Can Mama get past Fruitcake Festivals, cranky elves, squabbling offspring and questionable Elvis impersonators in time to say, 'I do'? Described as a "shamelessly hilarious Southern-fried yuletide joyride," the play delivers the heart, humor, and holiday spirit audiences have come to love from the celebrated
Jones Hope Wooten productions. "We are honored to bring the world premiere of this delightful comedy to Kings Mountain," said Director Nikki Wood. "Having Jamie Wooten join us for the Opening Night Gala Celebration makes this event even more special for our community and theatre patrons." For audition information, tickets, and updates, follow Kings Mountain Little Theatre on social media or visit the theatre's website. Kings Mountain Little Theatre, Inc. is a volunteer based, 501c3 tax-exempt community theater. It owns and operates the Joy Theatre and the Liberty Mountain Garden. It is a funded affiliate of the Cleveland County Arts Council. It is supported in part by a Grassroots Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency.
On July 7, both chambers of the General Assembly came together to give final passage to a new state budget, one that includes real pay raises, meaningful tax relief for North Carolina families, and increased investment in our schools, public safety, affordable housing, and rural areas. The vote reflected strong bipartisan support, with better than three votes in favor for every one against, and Governor Stein signed it into law just five days later. Senator Alexander said, “I won’t pretend this budget is perfect, and I won’t pretend it came together as quickly as it should have. But it puts North Carolina on the right track, and I’m proud of the work the Senate put in to make it stronger for the students, families, and communities we serve.” Key Highlights: • $19 billion investment in education. Education makes up 57% of the entire budget. • $30 million additional for advanced teaching roles, providing $10,000 salary increases for participants. • $30 million additional for community colleges to implement PROPEL NC. • Funding to build foundational math skills for students, including $6 million for a universal screener in
low-performing schools, $5 million to pilot and study math tools, $4 million for middle school math teacher training, and $10 million to develop a standard K-8 math curriculum. • Further reduces the personal income tax rate. • An average 8% teacher pay raise, the largest average increase since 2006, plus $1,000 to $1,750 bonuses for each teacher, plus state-funded supplements for every teacher in my district. These supplements are not part of base salary; they’re paid as a lump sum or at the discretion of each county school system. • Raises starting teacher pay to $53,838, the highest in the South, including the bonuses and supplements above. Base salary alone rises this year from $41,000 to $48,000 annually. • A 3% raise for state employees, plus bonuses of at least $1,000 to $1,700 for each. • A 2.5% bonus for state retirees. • A minimum 13% raise for state law enforcement and correctional officers, with larger increases for the SBI and State Highway Patrol. The budget also appropriates funds to the NC Human Trafficking Commission to continue our fight against sex trafficking, and increases revenue
streams dedicated to combatting domestic violence and abuse. • A $1,750 bonus for all local law enforcement officers. • Adds more than $450 million to the Rainy Day Fund, bringing the total to more than $4.2 billion. • Invests more than $700 million in Hurricane Helene recovery for Western North Carolina. • Provides $54 million for Farmland Preservation to protect rural working lands from development pressure, and protects Pyle’s Defeat, an historic battlefield recognized as the most endangered in North Carolina. • Funds additional DMV positions to reduce wait times and expand service hours. Keep an eye out for our new license plate celebrating the nation’s 250th Semiquincentennial! • Invests in literacy, math, school safety, and childcare. • Strengthens Medicaid oversight and fraud prevention. The full state budget and accompanying “money report” are available on the NC General Assembly’s website.
CCC receives $1.7 million to expand Congratulations to Teresa Wingo Healthcare Workforce training Cleveland Community College is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support the expansion and renovation of the Bailey Allied Health and Science Center, increasing the college’s capacity to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. “This grant is an investment in the students, healthcare providers, and communities we serve,” said Dr. Jason Hurst, President of Cleveland Community College. “Our health sciences
CCC students work in the simulation lab. (Photo provided) programs have experienced strong enrollment growth as demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise. This expansion will allow us to educate and train more
Real to Reel kicks off Friday The Real to Reel International Film Festival! kicks off this week, July 24-25 at the Joy Performance Center in Kings Mountain. Check out the list of films and programming and buy tickets online at: https://ccartscouncil.org/products/realto-reel-tickets
students in our existing programs while maintaining the high-quality, hands-on learning experiences that prepare graduates to enter the workforce and make an immediate impact in healthcare settings throughout our region.” The grant will fund the renovation of approximately 10,000 square feet within the Bailey Center, a three-story facility built in 2009 that serves as the home of the college’s health sciences programs including Nursing, Medical Assisting, Radiography, Surgical Technology, Medical Sonography, and Medical Laboratory Technology. See CCC, Page 4A
KMPD/FB The Kings Mountain Police Department proudly congratulates Teresa Wingo on successfully completing the next phase of her training with the North Carolina Emergency Chaplains Association. KMPD stated, “Teresa's unwavering dedication to this department, our staff, and the citizens we serve is evident in every interaction, regardless of the day or time. Her compassionate heart, servant leadership, and commitment to supporting others during both everyday moments and times of crisis make a lasting impact on our organization and community. “We are honored to have Teresa as an important member of our Chaplain Team and are grateful for her continued commitment to growing in this vital ministry of care and service. “Please join us in congratulating Teresa on this outstanding accomplishment and thanking her for the difference she makes every day. Congratulations, Teresa!”
TERESA WINGO
KMHS Orientations The first official day of school for Cleveland County Schools is August 12. Kings Mountain High School is offering orientations for 9th graders and 10th12th graders. 9th Grade Orientation - Two options include a morning (8:30-10:00) and an evening session (5:30-7:00). Students are strong encouraged to attend the morning
session if you are able to do so. A letter with details regarding orientation and the transition to high school will be mailed soon. 10th-12th Grade Orientation - Please drop in any time between the hours of 1:00-3:00 to meet your teachers and travel through your schedule.
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